J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Sep;28(9):1373-1377. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.9.1373.

Prevalence of Snoring and High Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Young Male Soldiers in Korea

• Lee YC
• Eun YG
• Shin SY
• Kim SW

• KMID: 1793055
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.9.1373

Abstract

There are little information on prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and clinical features in the young military population. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of snoring and high risk of OSAS in young male soldiers in Korea and to identify the risk factors of OSAS. A total of 665 participants (aged 20-23 yr) who visited the Armed Forces Ildong Hospital for regular physical examination were enrolled. All participants completed the Berlin Questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. The participants with high risk for OSAS completed portable sleep monitoring. The prevalence of snoring and high risk of OSAS in young male soldiers in Korea was 13.5% and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of high arched palate, tongue indentation, long uvula, large tonsil and retrognathia was significantly higher in the high risk OSAS group. High arched palate, long uvula or low lying soft palate, tonsil size III or IV, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10 and obesity (BMI > 27 kg/m2) were found to independently predict OSAS. For early identification and treatment of young soldiers with OSAS in a military environment, a precise screening by questionnaire and physical examination is needed.

Keyword

Prevalence; Snoring; Sleep Apnea Syndrome; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Military Personnel; Korea

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Body Mass Index
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
*Military Personnel
Odds Ratio
Palate/anatomy & histology
Palatine Tonsil/anatomy & histology
Polysomnography
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Retrognathia/physiopathology
Risk Factors
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/*epidemiology
Snoring/epidemiology
Uvula/anatomy & histology
Young Adult

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